Signs of a Good Interview

[El Salvaje]

During my interivews I've noticed that a lot of students have their own "tips" on what signs are associated with a good interview and thus, a likely acceptance. Below are just a few that I have heard and the logic behind them.


If the interview goes longer then it's a sign that they want you - the reasoning here is that the evaluator is so interested by you that she/he just dosn't want it to end.

The more controversial/harder the questions you get the more they want you - this is assuming that for the other students who get JUST the typical "so why dentistry?" type questions that they are really just going through the motions. Those who are asked more serious and specific questions are the students the adcomms really want to know better.

If the evaluator leans forward more then she/he is more interested in finding out about you as an applicant - I'm guessing this is just a subconcious move which one of the psychology majors in my group swears is a good sign.

Basically, I've always thought of these as ridiculous due to the many, many other variables involved. So much of it depends on the schools protocol as well as what methods the interviewer themselves feel comfortable with. I just know that there are a lot of students who believe in these signs as serious indications of how the meeting went and I would like to hear from others about what they think. Do you feel that there is some truth to these indicators or is it all in our heads?

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[321931]

During my interivews I've noticed that a lot of students have their own "tips" on what signs are associated with a good interview and thus, a likely acceptance. Below are just a few that I have heard and the logic behind them.


If the interview goes longer then it's a sign that they want you - the reasoning here is that the evaluator is so interested by you that she/he just dosn't want it to end.

The more controversial/harder the questions you get the more they want you - this is assuming that for the other students who get JUST the typical "so why dentistry?" type questions that they are really just going through the motions. Those who are asked more serious and specific questions are the students the adcomms really want to know better.

If the evaluator leans forward more then she/he is more interested in finding out about you as an applicant - I'm guessing this is just a subconcious move which one of the psychology majors in my group swears is a good sign.

Basically, I've always thought of these as ridiculous due to the many, many other variables involved. So much of it depends on the schools protocol as well as what methods the interviewer themselves feel comfortable with. I just know that there are a lot of students who believe in these signs as serious indications of how the meeting went and I would like to hear from others about what they think. Do you feel that there is some truth to these indicators or is it all in our heads?

I think the best indicator is your own self. If you walk out knowing you did well, then thats that. You can sorta gauge your own success...if you know what I mean. I know its vague...but its the truth.

Plus the stuff you said was pretty much spot on.

 

[interesting]

During my interivews I've noticed that a lot of students have their own "tips" on what signs are associated with a good interview and thus, a likely acceptance. Below are just a few that I have heard and the logic behind them.


If the interview goes longer then it's a sign that they want you - the reasoning here is that the evaluator is so interested by you that she/he just dosn't want it to end.

The more controversial/harder the questions you get the more they want you - this is assuming that for the other students who get JUST the typical "so why dentistry?" type questions that they are really just going through the motions. Those who are asked more serious and specific questions are the students the adcomms really want to know better.

If the evaluator leans forward more then she/he is more interested in finding out about you as an applicant - I'm guessing this is just a subconcious move which one of the psychology majors in my group swears is a good sign.

Basically, I've always thought of these as ridiculous due to the many, many other variables involved. So much of it depends on the schools protocol as well as what methods the interviewer themselves feel comfortable with. I just know that there are a lot of students who believe in these signs as serious indications of how the meeting went and I would like to hear from others about what they think. Do you feel that there is some truth to these indicators or is it all in our heads?

there is truth to this. my first interview last cycle was short -- rejected. my third interview last cycle - evaluators sat back and never leaned forward -- waitlisted.

 

[dentalWorks]

During my interivews I've noticed that a lot of students have their own "tips" on what signs are associated with a good interview and thus, a likely acceptance. Below are just a few that I have heard and the logic behind them.


If the interview goes longer then it's a sign that they want you - the reasoning here is that the evaluator is so interested by you that she/he just dosn't want it to end.

The more controversial/harder the questions you get the more they want you - this is assuming that for the other students who get JUST the typical "so why dentistry?" type questions that they are really just going through the motions. Those who are asked more serious and specific questions are the students the adcomms really want to know better.

If the evaluator leans forward more then she/he is more interested in finding out about you as an applicant - I'm guessing this is just a subconcious move which one of the psychology majors in my group swears is a good sign.

Basically, I've always thought of these as ridiculous due to the many, many other variables involved. So much of it depends on the schools protocol as well as what methods the interviewer themselves feel comfortable with. I just know that there are a lot of students who believe in these signs as serious indications of how the meeting went and I would like to hear from others about what they think. Do you feel that there is some truth to these indicators or is it all in our heads?

haha, this shouldn't be the same as the political schemes that goes on between middle-school boys and girls where they are constantly hinting each other lol...... I believe that if the interviewer likes the applicant, he/she is going to let them know that during the interview. But then again, I guess everything is possible

 

[Erhatstil]

one interview i had went like this upon sitting down at the table..."i have your file here and i'm not going to open it, i just want to answer any questions you have about the university." hahaha

its difficult to gauge how well i did considering i was asking all the questions

 

[yappy]

interviews are hard b/c it's highly dependent on who is interviewing you. I have shadowed a few dentists and I hit it off with some and we can talk non-stop about anything.... I've shadowed one that I had nothing in common with. I think it may have been b/c she was a woman... I just find it hard to relate to them. Anyways, I think interviewing is simular - but you should go in with some points that you know you want to get across about what makes you a unique, good applicant.
I dont see how it could be a bad interview if you say... dont hit it off, but articulate what makes you a good applicant and come across professional and interested in dentistry.

 

[crooked castle]

During my interivews I've noticed that a lot of students have their own "tips" on what signs are associated with a good interview and thus, a likely acceptance. Below are just a few that I have heard and the logic behind them.


If the interview goes longer then it's a sign that they want you - the reasoning here is that the evaluator is so interested by you that she/he just dosn't want it to end.

The more controversial/harder the questions you get the more they want you - this is assuming that for the other students who get JUST the typical "so why dentistry?" type questions that they are really just going through the motions. Those who are asked more serious and specific questions are the students the adcomms really want to know better.

If the evaluator leans forward more then she/he is more interested in finding out about you as an applicant - I'm guessing this is just a subconcious move which one of the psychology majors in my group swears is a good sign.

Basically, I've always thought of these as ridiculous due to the many, many other variables involved. So much of it depends on the schools protocol as well as what methods the interviewer themselves feel comfortable with. I just know that there are a lot of students who believe in these signs as serious indications of how the meeting went and I would like to hear from others about what they think. Do you feel that there is some truth to these indicators or is it all in our heads?

I think you can definitely judge whether the interview went well, which you gave examples of...

however, i would never say a good/great interview = likely acceptance. At this point, an interview means the school is ready to accept ANY of the interviewees. Meaning these students have made a strong impression on paper and would fit the school. The interview, in my opinion, is just another aspect of the app...not a second hoop to jump through. Many schools rate you on your interview and take that into consideration (while revisiting your ENTIRE app) when doing a final review to decide if you are accepted/waitlisted/rejected. Think of it like a score to add to your overall application.

Out of lets say 400 interviewees...a school may accept 200 for a class of 80. That does NOT mean 200 of those who did not get accepted FAILED/sucked during the interview. I find it hard that that many would do that poorly. The ones not accepted are the ones less desired (compared to the interviewee pool) because the fact is that the ones with great interviews AND great stats get the advantage. Again, because the interview to me is just another part of the app (add up the score), not a 2nd round thing.

This is NOT to say interviews mean nothing. they do! just dont make it seem like it will make or break you. do your best..and thats it. dont read into it too much.

agree? yes no maybe so?

 

[FreeFallin]

At my first interview, I sat in front of 3 interviewers. The admissions director asked me the questions. The majority of the time, the other 2 interviewers sat writing notes. They seemed to want to look serious whilst writing, but several times, I caught a glimpse of them smiling.

At my second interview, I had 2 separate interviews. They were both very very conversational, definitely 2-way conversations. My first interview lasted about 1 hr 15 mins. My second interview lasted almost 2 hours! We were talking some about dentistry and about the school, and the rest of the time we were talking about other things, such as the interviewer's grandchildren, his research, my hobbies, etc.

As of right now, I have no verdict on how I did. Both schools were so different in how they interviewed me. I'm hoping for the best and hope to do well on my other interviews too! Good luck everyone.

 

[KenKim]

so wat if the interviewer asked me to ask all the questions the whole time...

then how how do i judge whether i did well???

 

[doc toothache]

so wat if the interviewer asked me to ask all the questions the whole time...
then how how do i judge whether i did well???

You were probably accepted but the interviewer wanted to see if you could talk him/her into a rejection.

 

[Elle2011]

Did any one feel like they got hints that they will be accepted? I got a thumbs up after...what does that mean? Something to make me feel like it went well?

 

[crooked castle]

Did any one feel like they got hints that they will be accepted? I got a thumbs up after...what does that mean? Something to make me feel like it went well?

check out my response a few posts up. its just my opinion though.

 

[minoh87]

i talked to my interviewer about my family/ family values and how i grew up /raised for like an hr.. kinda caught me off guard since i thought i was gonna be talking bout my research..

 

[cougarpride]

how would yall respond if an interviewer told you something like this

"you should probably hear from us on Dec 1"

a guaranteed acceptance? or just a boost of confidence that you will likely be accepted?

 

[AmpedUp]

how would yall respond if an interviewer told you something like this

"you should probably hear from us on Dec 1"

a guaranteed acceptance? or just a boost of confidence that you will likely be accepted?

i got a similar one at the end of the interview:

"you will hear from us shortly" (she said it twice and smiled)

 

[darkwalk]

My interviewer asked for my deposit and I gave it to her. Is that a good sign?

 

[GOLF]

my interviewer gave me a white lab coat with my name embroidered. Is that a good sign too?

 

[ajusf16]

mine waved the tuition 😉 and would provide starbucks daily if I would allow them to have me

I kidd I kidd

 

[Avery07]

my interviewer gave me a white lab coat with my name embroidered. Is that a good sign too?

 

[alexamasan]

I wish some actual dental students will give their opinion on this matter. Pre-dents are good an all, but I wish more people who went through the entire process would share their experience.

 

[snaggletoof]

my interviewer asked me to join his practice.

 

[OU11BB]

they asked me to see patients when I was done

 

[yappy]

I'm not applying till next year - but I called the school I was interested in and it went so well they said I have a spot for next year. They said the DAT and finishing my last prereqs were just a formality.

 

[redchesus]

True story: my interviewer asked me if I had taken the DAT (errr, really?) and then proceeded to ask me to list my scores for each section, WHILE my file was sitting on the desk in front of her, a bit to the side

NOT a sign of a good interview

then again... that interviewer did some other questionable things, like spend 5 minutes trying to convince me that I look Hispanic even though I'm clearly Asian

 

[hopefulDMD]

I think you can definitely judge whether the interview went well, which you gave examples of...

however, i would never say a good/great interview = likely acceptance. At this point, an interview means the school is ready to accept ANY of the interviewees. Meaning these students have made a strong impression on paper and would fit the school. The interview, in my opinion, is just another aspect of the app...not a second hoop to jump through. Many schools rate you on your interview and take that into consideration (while revisiting your ENTIRE app) when doing a final review to decide if you are accepted/waitlisted/rejected. Think of it like a score to add to your overall application.

Out of lets say 400 interviewees...a school may accept 200 for a class of 80. That does NOT mean 200 of those who did not get accepted FAILED/sucked during the interview. I find it hard that that many would do that poorly. The ones not accepted are the ones less desired (compared to the interviewee pool) because the fact is that the ones with great interviews AND great stats get the advantage. Again, because the interview to me is just another part of the app (add up the score), not a 2nd round thing.

This is NOT to say interviews mean nothing. they do! just dont make it seem like it will make or break you. do your best..and thats it. dont read into it too much.

agree? yes no maybe so?

i agree with you completely -- right on board with ya. i had my first interview and although I left the building feeling pretty good about them, after sitting and pondering about it even more I feel like I coulda/shoulda/woulda answered better. both interviewers were really conversational and shared their own experience after i gave them answers, but with one interview...the guy laughed, smiled and everything....but i saw him put 2 question marks after each question i answered and as I answered more questions down his list he added 2 more and by the end of the interview he put 7 question marks....i was so tempted to ask him what he was doing with that many question marks.
i did my best at the time and I am hoping for the best!

 

[snaggletoof]

i agree with you completely -- right on board with ya. i had my first interview and although I left the building feeling pretty good about them, after sitting and pondering about it even more I feel like I coulda/shoulda/woulda answered better. both interviewers were really conversational and shared their own experience after i gave them answers, but with one interview...the guy laughed, smiled and everything....but i saw him put 2 question marks after each question i answered and as I answered more questions down his list he added 2 more and by the end of the interview he put 7 question marks....i was so tempted to ask him what he was doing with that many question marks.
i did my best at the time and I am hoping for the best!

im sorry hopeful, but your story really tickled me. what in the world could all those question marks mean. im not making fun of you but thats so weird. i could just imagine how you were feeling each time he put another one down. hahaha bet you wanted to ask so bad what he was doing, maybe its some secret code for excellent answer, lets hope anyway.

 

[wwdaffodils]

I wish some actual dental students will give their opinion on this matter. Pre-dents are good an all, but I wish more people who went through the entire process would share their experience.

You guys are over thinking it. Nobody really "knows" how the interview went unless it goes to one extreme or the other. For instance, I knew I was in at my state school when my interviewer just said from the get-go that the school really really wanted me there, and that this interview was just a way for me to see how I liked the school. At another school, my interviewer was late by half an hour, told me he hadn't read my file before the interview, proceeded to read my application/essay in COMPLETE SILENCE while I was sitting in his office, and then looked like he staring off into deep space/attempting to master the art of falling asleep with his eyes open while I was answering his questions. Now, I can't remember whether or not he was leaning forwards or backwards in his chair.. but needless to say, I didn't get in.

I just went by my gut feeling about how the interview went, and I was right except for one school where I thought I had an great interview... but I was out of state, and they focus a lot on the science GPA, so clearly my interview wasn't enough to push me into acceptance-land.

So moral of the story... you just never know. Unless you know. And then you know.

Hope that clarifies things. 👍

 

[wwdaffodils]

During my interivews I've noticed that a lot of students have their own "tips" on what signs are associated with a good interview and thus, a likely acceptance. Below are just a few that I have heard and the logic behind them.


If the interview goes longer then it's a sign that they want you - the reasoning here is that the evaluator is so interested by you that she/he just dosn't want it to end.

The more controversial/harder the questions you get the more they want you - this is assuming that for the other students who get JUST the typical "so why dentistry?" type questions that they are really just going through the motions. Those who are asked more serious and specific questions are the students the adcomms really want to know better.

If the evaluator leans forward more then she/he is more interested in finding out about you as an applicant - I'm guessing this is just a subconcious move which one of the psychology majors in my group swears is a good sign.

Basically, I've always thought of these as ridiculous due to the many, many other variables involved. So much of it depends on the schools protocol as well as what methods the interviewer themselves feel comfortable with. I just know that there are a lot of students who believe in these signs as serious indications of how the meeting went and I would like to hear from others about what they think. Do you feel that there is some truth to these indicators or is it all in our heads?

And, just for funsies: when I interviewed with the school I'm at now, my interview lasted only half an hour (which worried me because the applicant before me got a full hour), we talked the entire time about dogs, and my interviewer sat back the entire time-- which I remember because he had really comfortable looking chair and I remember thinking "Wow, that's a comfortable looking chair." So there's that.

 

[HoustonDAT]

I was supposed to have an interview with an adcom and student simultaneously. The interview started off very conversational. We talked about my background, and the crashing real estate market in Dubai. His first question to me was to figure out what the heck ethnicity I was. I thought the interview was going well as I made him smile, laugh, lean forward, etc. After some time, it became apparent that the student interviewer was not coming. At this point, the adcom became very irritated. So I was able to pick up on his non verbals, and started to answer more straightforward and withhold jokes. Needless to say, the student interviewer never showed up, and I was the only applicant that day that interviewed without a student. As I was leaving, the adcom still seemed peeved. I hope the inaction of the inconsiderate student doesn't result in the adcom having an unfavorable experience with me...🙁

 

[FSUpredent]

i agree with you completely -- right on board with ya. i had my first interview and although I left the building feeling pretty good about them, after sitting and pondering about it even more I feel like I coulda/shoulda/woulda answered better. both interviewers were really conversational and shared their own experience after i gave them answers, but with one interview...the guy laughed, smiled and everything....but i saw him put 2 question marks after each question i answered and as I answered more questions down his list he added 2 more and by the end of the interview he put 7 question marks....i was so tempted to ask him what he was doing with that many question marks.
i did my best at the time and I am hoping for the best!

Do you ever subconsciously end sentences making them sound like questions? I've met people that end every declarative sentence with a question sound (higher pitch almost). If so, the interviewer might have been counting the number of times you did that. I had people in my speech classes that counted the question sound or the number of ughs. Who knows tho?? It could have been the interviewer's way of rating you instead of stars he gives question marks???

 

[SoulPower]

I was supposed to have an interview with an adcom and student simultaneously. The interview started off very conversational. We talked about my background, and the crashing real estate market in Dubai. His first question to me was to figure out what the heck ethnicity I was. I thought the interview was going well as I made him smile, laugh, lean forward, etc. After some time, it became apparent that the student interviewer was not coming. At this point, the adcom became very irritated. So I was able to pick up on his non verbals, and started to answer more straightforward and withhold jokes. Needless to say, the student interviewer never showed up, and I was the only applicant that day that interviewed without a student. As I was leaving, the adcom still seemed peeved. I hope the inaction of the inconsiderate student doesn't result in the adcom having an unfavorable experience with me...🙁

Same scenario happened to me at MWU. Except the ad com didn't seem upset or even second thought the absence of the student, owell the interview went really well I thought.

 

[hopefulDMD]

Do you ever subconsciously end sentences making them sound like questions? I've met people that end every declarative sentence with a question sound (higher pitch almost). If so, the interviewer might have been counting the number of times you did that. I had people in my speech classes that counted the question sound or the number of ughs. Who knows tho?? It could have been the interviewer's way of rating you instead of stars he gives question marks???

actually no, i don't end my answers as questions. even if i did (which i didn't) how could i answer a question with 7 question answers? doesn't make sense...but i see what you're saying. i use to count the number of times people said "umm, ahem, like, and" in my speech class. this interview wasn't like a speech as it was very conversational. it was one-on-one. but i'm hoping it was his way of rating us. this guy didn't take any notes down all he wrote were question marks! but he nodded and responded and even gave me his own personal experience/thoughts after i shared my answers...which is good. and his eyes didn't wander anywhere. my eyes were glued on his! hhaha

im sorry hopeful, but your story really tickled me. what in the world could all those question marks mean. im not making fun of you but thats so weird. i could just imagine how you were feeling each time he put another one down. hahaha bet you wanted to ask so bad what he was doing, maybe its some secret code for excellent answer, lets hope anyway.

lol, i'm glad it tickled you in some way. i'm hoping it was good marks...but you 'll never know...i'll let you guys know if i get into the school...it would be amazing if i did. i FELL IN love with the school!

 

[member0543183]

bump?

 

[Junebug1665]

Last year they gave out school T-shirts at one of my interviews. I'm pretty small and the guy gave me an XXL even though I could clearly see a small sitting in the pile. Obviously he knew I wasn't going to be wearing it to their school....

 

[freneticFil]

bringing up an old post, but if an interviewer says something like "if there's one thing you would like me to say to the admissions committee, as I'm your advocate, what is it?" is that necessarily a sign of something? asked on a last question.

 

[artist2022]

bringing up an old post, but if an interviewer says something like "if there's one thing you would like me to say to the admissions committee, as I'm your advocate, what is it?" is that necessarily a sign of something? asked on a last question.

I think this question would be more like "Since I'm your voice to the rest of the adcom, what's one thing you would like them to remember you by?", because this one person was the one who met and interviewed you, while the rest only know you through your file. I don't think it means anything else.

 

[Tommyjj]

there is truth to this. my first interview last cycle was short -- rejected. my third interview last cycle - evaluators sat back and never leaned forward -- waitlisted.

Hahaa I can relate. I had an interview, where one interviewer was leaned back, with foot crossed over on his knee, while the other one was intrigued and asking me to go in depth about my personal growth and how relatable it was.

 

[shendo]

During my interivews I've noticed that a lot of students have their own "tips" on what signs are associated with a good interview and thus, a likely acceptance. Below are just a few that I have heard and the logic behind them.

If the interview goes longer then it's a sign that they want you - the reasoning here is that the evaluator is so interested by you that she/he just dosn't want it to end.

The more controversial/harder the questions you get the more they want you - this is assuming that for the other students who get JUST the typical "so why dentistry?" type questions that they are really just going through the motions. Those who are asked more serious and specific questions are the students the adcomms really want to know better.

If the evaluator leans forward more then she/he is more interested in finding out about you as an applicant - I'm guessing this is just a subconcious move which one of the psychology majors in my group swears is a good sign.

Basically, I've always thought of these as ridiculous due to the many, many other variables involved. So much of it depends on the schools protocol as well as what methods the interviewer themselves feel comfortable with. I just know that there are a lot of students who believe in these signs as serious indications of how the meeting went and I would like to hear from others about what they think. Do you feel that there is some truth to these indicators or is it all in our heads?

I came upon this thread so thought I add my opinions as an AEGD director interviewing AEGD applicants. I would agree with the original OP, that I wouldn't put too much weight into any of the tips mentioned regarding what constitutes a good interview, it really depends on who is interviewing you and their style. I can think of examples from my own experience interviewing applicants for each of the above where the exact opposite is true.

For example if the interview goes longer, it could be because the applicant is having a hard time answering the questions or the applicant is giving too long winded answers. Sometimes if I have a really strong applicant, that has already come and visited the program and I've spent time getting to know them previously, then I don't need to spend as much time during the interview day as well.

Regarding asking more controversial/harder questions, sometimes I will ask these for the applicants that are struggling with the more simple questions just to assess their dental knowledge, and ability to think on their feet.

Regarding the body posture, I find my body posture changing depending how tired I am during the interview day since we are interviewing multiple candidates back to back.